First time plowing snow, it was not pretty

Sun Dec 26, 2004 9:15 pm

It is snowing in south east MA at this very moment.
My cheeks are cold and my butt is wet.
My 58 Lo-boy did not push the snow well at all.
I have about 400 feet of flat drive way and the cub slipped and skidded the whole way.
Only about 3 in of snow on the ground. A small pile would build up on the blade and
I could not go any further. I finally gave up with a very messy looking plow job.
I guess I need some tire chains and wheel weights.
My tires are 13.6 X 16 they are wider than the blade so that does not help any.
I guess I will call the case IH dealer in the morning to try to get some chains.
Does anyone know a better place to get some tire chains?
Does anyone have any wheel weights in New England that they would want to sell?
This is a terrible moment in my life. Why didnâ€™t Santa bring me some tire chains for Christmas? I hope his slay is stuck in the snow.

Sun Dec 26, 2004 9:20 pm

try http://www.tirechains.com - they have good prices and a good product. Is your blade surface rusty? If it is, snow will stick to it. A quick sanding and coat of paint will help. I have heard of others who spray the blade with non-stick cooking spray or silicone lubes to aid in this problem.
If you have a Tractor Supply Company store in your area, they should also have chains.

Sun Dec 26, 2004 9:27 pm

With only 3" of snow, you shouldn't have had too many problems. Was the blade angled to slide the snow to the side instead of building up? Of course chains & weights will make a world of difference, but 3" of snow should have been fairly easy. Lots of practice will make you better. Seeing where your from, I think you will get plenty of that! .....................

Sun Dec 26, 2004 9:54 pm

I just ordered some chains from the link that big dog gave.
My blade is rusty so I will have to do an emergency paint job tomorrow night after
Work.
I have new wearing shoes, and the blade did not scrap the tar clean.
I did have the blade at an angle but the snow did not slid off the blade.
I tried banging on the shoe with a hammer and that helped a little.

Sun Dec 26, 2004 10:14 pm

Spaceghost - throw a good coat of wax on that blade after you get the surface smooth and painted. The smoother the surface, the easier the snow will slide.

Sun Dec 26, 2004 10:19 pm

Just a thought, has anyone ever tried the spray on bedliner on a snow blade? I wonder how that would work.

Sun Dec 26, 2004 10:29 pm

Never tried it but I would think you would defeat your purpose. Most bedliner sprays are intended to be non-slip and have texture in them.

Sun Dec 26, 2004 10:34 pm

I have also bought from tirecahins.com and was very pleased with their quality and service.

Some commercial snow removal services use a product claled lubripalte on their blades, but din't know where to get it.

Mon Dec 27, 2004 12:10 am

Quote John:, Some commercial snow removal services use a product claled lubripalte on their blades, but din't know where to get it.

I bought a product called "Slip-Plate" which is a graphite paint that makes my mower deck real slippery. I got it at TSC.

Mon Dec 27, 2004 6:46 am

Aren't 16 inch tires are turf tires? I imagine the chains will help. I bought some wheel weights on E-bay. Front cub and rear cadet are the same weights. I noticed a pair last night on E-bay but felt at $102.00 they were getting pricy. I'll e-mail the guy I got them from to see if he has any more.

Bill

Mon Dec 27, 2004 9:15 am

Spaceghost,

I'm a little confused about that tire size. What kind of rims and tires do you have on your 58 Lo-Boy?

Mon Dec 27, 2004 9:20 am

Don, from the size listed I would guess that he has a pair of the wide turf treads from a number series lo-boy.

Mon Dec 27, 2004 9:43 am

Johnbraun, you are correct it is Slip-plate, not Lubriplate. Lubriplate is a grease tyoe product.

Mon Dec 27, 2004 9:56 am

I do have a pair of number series turf tires on my 58 lo-boy.
I wish I had the correct size turf tires. Will the rear wheel weights from a non number cub fit on a number series lo-boy tire?

Mon Dec 27, 2004 10:32 am

Spaceghost, I'd have to go measure my 184's wheels against the weights but I don't think they will fit. Part of your problem is that your tires are working against you too. Not only is there no grip from turf tread but the wide tires are designed for flotation, not penetration so the weight of your tractor is spread over a larger area and the tires will spin on top of the snow rather than penetrate down to something solid where they can grip. The chains will help but a set of narrow tread tires with chains would be the best set-up.